TVS Motor Backs E20 Rollout

While the automotive industry debates the impact of E20 ethanol-blended fuel, TVS Motor has revealed that over 1 million Ntorq 125 riders are already using E20-compliant vehicles without performance issues. The disclosure comes at a time when India's nationwide rollout of E20 ethanol fuel has sparked confusion and panic among consumers worried about potential engine damage.

Aniruddha Haldar, Senior Vice President Marketing at TVS Motor, countered widespread consumer hesitation during the company's latest Ntorq 150 launch in Mumbai, on 9th September, stating that all TVS vehicles have been E20 compliant for years. When asked by Autocar Professional about performance degradation concerns, he emphasized, "If you put an E20 fuel, there will be no degradation. These are all E20 compliant vehicles."

Real-World Testing Validates E20 Performance

TVS's confidence stems from extensive real-world data, with 2 million Ntorq 125 users on Indian roads, Haldar revealed that approximately half have been riding E20-compliant vehicles, providing substantial field validation for the technology. This practical experience contrasts sharply with theoretical concerns that have dominated industry discussions.

However, the industry narrative has been complicated by mixed signals as though All new vehicles currently sold in India are E20 compliant, but those manufactured before 2024 are not entirely compatible, creating confusion among consumers about vehicle compatibility.

Policy Alignment

Haldar positioned the E20 transition as part of a larger economic restructuring, similar to recent GST reforms. "From a broader perspective, this is something that is to be seen just like the GST move is a broader move to fundamentally help shape the economy. The E20 change is a broader move to help shape the economy in the positive direction," he stated when asked by reporters about the policy's impact.

The government's push for ethanol blending extends beyond environmental concerns. The transition is expected to save ₹30,000 crore annually in oil imports.

Furthermore, ethanol contains more oxygen than gasoline, offering significant advantages like increased compression ratio due to inherent higher-octane number, resulting in more efficient combustion, according to TVS's technical documentation. This technical advantage supports the company's confidence in E20 performance.

Despite these benefits, consumer education remains a challenge. When pressed about degradation issues that have prevented widespread E20 adoption, Haldar acknowledged the consumer perspective but maintained that technical reality differs from perception. "Our R&D will ensure that we are complying with the law of the land and your vehicle lives up to the promise. So I have absolutely no problem with that," he concluded, positioning TVS as ready to lead the industry's transition to higher ethanol blends.